Dash Soccer Team Honors Veterans at September 11 Game

Houston's National Women's Soccer League salutes American heroes at this Sunday's match.

The Houston Dash will dedicate this Sunday's game to the men and women that serve our country. Since their first season in 2013, the Dash created Haley’s Heroes as both a nod to their reserve defender, Haley Carter, a former U.S. Marine and current assistant coach to the Afghanistan Women's National Team, as well as a platform for honoring heroes.

“Dash started Haley’s Heroes my first season,” Carter says. “I couldn’t have asked for a better organization. They’re so supportive and make sure that we honor female veterans.”

During this Sunday's Honoring Heroes pre-game and halftime, all current and former military members and first responders will be recognized. Fans can help honor these veterans by purchasing a Buy One, Donate One package, which donates 10, 25, 50 or 100 tickets to the honorees and their families, as well as other goodies, like meeting the players, drawstring bags, Sports Illustrated commemorative issues autographed by Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian and more. The first 2,500 fans to enter the stadium receive a Dash USA Coozie courtesy of Michelob Ultra.

This year’s game has added significance as the date coincides with the anniversary of September 11.

“All of us remember where we were when it happened,” Carter says. “This game is a nice way to remember those who were lost and those who stepped up. First responders have a special place in my heart. My mom and stepdad are paramedics and my dad is a deputy for Harris County Sheriff's Department."

Dash’s support for veterans and first responders was a no-brainer. But Carter's personal involvement was the icing on the cake, especially since it’s her last season with Dash.

“I’m one of the few here from the beginning and it’ll be my last military night to be a person who is involved and honored,” Carter says. “I’ll try not to get too emotional. But I make no promises.”